296 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



R.'S FASTING. 



(e. was a member of the bear clan) 



There was a village near Big Lake CLake Winnebago), and at this 

 village the upper people and the earth people played lacrosse.'" The 

 Bear was the chief clan of the lower people, and those representing 

 that side in the game defeated the representatives of the other side 

 by sheer strength. Then one of the upper people said, "What 

 effeminate fellows those Bear people are. They are very strong, but 

 it would be much better if instead of being so strong in playing 

 lacrosse they were strong when on the warpath." Thus he spoke. 

 Then one of the Bear people (the one whose fasting is about to be de- 

 scribed) felt very much grieved and went out into the wilderness to fast. 

 His desire was to be blessed by those spirits who are in control of war, 

 and in his longing to be blessed by them he cried bitterly. Soon he 

 heard some one saying, "Do not cry any more, we have come after 

 you from above. The spirits have blessed you. You are going to 

 be taken to the lodge of your friends." Wlien the young man got 

 there he saw four men. They were called cannibals, and they were 

 brothers. "Our friends have blessed you and we also bless you," said 

 the four spirits. These four spirits were catfish. Then some white 

 crane spirits said, "Our friends have blessed you. With spears they 

 have blessed you. Indeed, for good reason was your heart sad (i. e., 

 did you make yourself suffer while fasting). With victory on the 

 warpath do we bless you. Here is your bundle. Here also are your 

 spears and your bow and arrows. This bundle you must use when 

 you go on the wai-path. Here also are some songs to use when you 

 start out and when you return. With these songs I bless you. 

 Here they are: 



SONGS 



Ho'sto k'^ine'djaVdja raii'je? 

 Where they gathered, there did you go? 

 K'aro' hitcak'aro' ha'gixewi^re. 

 Well, my friend, shout at it for him. 



"When the enemy is close upon you and aim their guns at you, if 

 you sing these songs they will not be able to hit you. If you sing 

 these songs then, those who gave you a name will honor you." Thus 

 we bless you. With life also we bless you." 



aratcge'ka's fasting " 



Aratcge'ka, Left-handed-one, went out to fast. "A spirit I wish 

 to bless me. I am fasting because I was told to do so. A shaman 



10 In playing lacrosse the upper aiul lower divisions were always pitted against one another. 



11 The sense is not quite clear here, but it is believed that he means that by singing one of these songs he 

 will be victorious and be able to count coup or distinguish himself in some such way, and thus be worthy 

 of being honored by his elders. 



12 This account of a fasting has been cast in a Uterary mold. It evidently relates to the fasting experience 

 of a well-known man. 



